Device for detecting and displaying one or more of body weight, body fat percentage, blood pressure, pulse and environmental temperature

ABSTRACT

A device for measuring and displaying body parameters includes a sensor that generates a signal representing a detected body parameter, such as body fat, body water and weight, and blood pressure of an individual; a transmitter to wirelessly transmit the signal; a receiver to receiver and display the sensed measurements as well as a user&#39;s name, time, date and temperature. The invention also pertains a method for determining fitness comprising the steps of: inputting, data pertaining to one of date, time, an individual&#39;s name, and fitness statistics, sensing parameters of one or more of a body fat, a body water, blood pressure and a weight; recording sensed parameters and said data; and transmitting the sensed parameters and said data; receiving said sensed parameters and said data and a signal proportional to a temperature and displaying one or more of said sensed parameters, data and temperature on a portable display unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.60/859,221, entitled WEIGHING SCALE, filed Nov. 15, 2006, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if being setforth in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates generally to weighing scales and to bodysensors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bathroom scales for measuring body fat and weight are known apparatusesused by the general public and particularly individuals that are fitnessconscious. Weight alone does not provide an accurate assessment of anindividual's fitness or progress in attaining fitness. For fitnessconscious individuals, body fat measurements, in addition to bodyweight, may improve their assessment of their progress toward reaching,and their diligence in maintaining, fitness goals. Accuracy andreliability depend to some degree on using the same measurement devices.However, the prior art lacks a low cost device that will accuratelymonitor several bodily parameters over time that also uses the sametechnique to observe and record associated changes in parameters such asbody fat, weight and body water percentage. Additionally, in order tomake body fat and body water percentage or water readings are moreaccurate, it is helpful to have a general category of “fitness level”.Although the prior art deals with one or another aspect of fitness, nonedeals with the capability of having a broad range of salient statisticsavailable in the scale and in a hand held device that can be up-dated tosuit individual users.

Electronic blood pressure measuring devices typically automaticallyapply pressure via a pump to inflate the arm cuff. The inflation pumpcontains a one-way valve to prevent inadvertent pressure leaks whileother mechanisms allow the pressure in the system to drop in acontrolled manner. In the typical mode of operation, the cuff is placedaround part of the arm. In some applications the cuff is placedapproximately one-half inch above the elbow at roughly the same verticalheight as the heart while the individual is in an upright position. Inother devices the cuff may be placed around the wrist. The cuff isinflated until the artery within the arm is blocked off. Once the bloodflow is blocked cuff pressure is gradually decreased using electricallycontrolled valves. As the pressure in the cuff diminishes, blood beginsto flow through the previously blocked off artery. As indicated in theprior art sounds of the blood initially flowing at or near the time theinitial deflation occurs and later, when blood flow resumes its normalstate blood pressure is determined. The pressure sensed at the onset ofblood flow is referred to as the systolic blood pressure. As cuffpressure continues to decrease a steady state pressure is reached and isreferred to as the diastolic blood pressure. In certain conventionalelectronic blood pressure monitors blood pressure is calculatedaccording relationships between average and peak widths of a pulsed wavedetected when the cuff is pressurized and depressurized. The prior artdigital blood pressure meters use determine blood pressure and registerthe data on a digital read out. These read outs are integrally connectedto the meters which are not practicably portable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, a weighing scaleutilizes a body fat sensor, a body water sensor and a weight sensorcoupled to a processor having therein contained a program to recordfitness level, display the sensed parameters and transmit the parametersto a portable display unit. The combined sets of readings comprise astatistical set that may be combined to produce a level of fitness forindividual users. The weighing scale also includes a “weight only”function that allows the body fat scale to also be used as a typicalbathroom scale.

In yet another embodiment a device measures body fat and body waterpercentages, and tracks weight to show the individuals target or goalweight and the difference between the goal and the current weight.

In one embodiment a wireless display unit is attachable and detachablefrom the scale. When the display unit is removed from the scale it canbe hand held or placed on a wall or flat surface. An exclusive remotesensor reads the outside temperature and time, which is transmitted tothe scale periodically and displayed when the scale or the portable unitis not being used. The scale and the display unit contain memory devicesto record and store statistical information such as time, date and anidentifier related to personal data such as the individual's name, andthe associated fitness statistics received. In yet another embodiment,the scale and the display device include corresponding pass codes toprotect the personal data of a particular user and to authenticate theidentity of the user.

The invention disclosed herein also includes a method for utilizing abody fat sensor, body water sensor and a weight sensor coupled to aprocessor having therein contained a program to record a fitness level:providing a scale for individuals to obtain measurements for one or moreof an individual's body fat, body water and weight; generating one ormore output signals proportional to the one or more of body fatmeasurement, body water measurement and weight measurement; andtransmitting the one or more outputs to a receiver for displaying themeasurements.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a blood pressuremonitor generates an output signal proportional to the systolic bloodpressure and the diastolic blood pressure and transmits the signal to aremote receiver that includes a processor and memory code operablecalculate and to record blood pressure and pulse, and other statisticalinformation such as time, date and an identifier related to the user'sname and indicative of a level of wellness for individual users.

In yet another embodiment a blood pressure or pulse rate systemcomprises one or more blood pressure or pulse rate meters, each having aplurality of sensors that generate a plurality of output signalsproportional to one or more of a sensed blood pressure, pulse rate and ameans to sense temperature; each sensor having a means to communicate toone or more associated portable display units; each said portabledisplay unit including a means to receive and a processor code operableto calculate a measure of blood pressure or pulse rate based upon theoutput signal data and input data pertaining to vital statistics of eachuser; and displaying the blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature.

In yet another embodiment, the remote device includes corresponding passcodes to protect the personal data of a particular user and toauthenticate the identity of the user. A remote sensor also reads theoutside temperature and time, which is transmitted a wireless remoteunit to periodically display the temperature and time when the portableunit is not being used to record blood pressure or pulse rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for detecting and displaying one or morebody parameters in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a scale in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a base unit of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view of an apparatus for measuring blood pressure and pulserate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus for measuringblood pressure and pulse rate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the figures to be discussed, the circuits and associated blocks andarrows represent functions of the process according to the presentinvention, which may be implemented as electrical circuits andassociated wires or data busses, which transport electrical signals.Alternatively, one or more associated arrows may represent communication(e.g., data flow) between software routines, particularly when thepresent method or apparatus of the present invention is a digitalprocess.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an apparatus 100 for detectingand displaying one or more body parameters and other information.Apparatus 100 includes scale 101 having sensors for determining bodyfat, body water percentage and weight, portable display unit 104,temperature sensing unit 105 (of FIG. 2), and blood pressure unit 106(of FIG. 2). Scale 100 includes a platform 102, which is transparent inthe illustrated embodiment, which supports an individual who desires tobe weighed. Platform 102 rests on load cells 103, which in turn aresupported on the body of scale 101. Scale 101 also includes circuits(not shown) which may be operated to measure body fat and body waterpercentage. Such circuits and associated data processing software arewell known to those of skill in the art. By way of non-limiting example,electrodes 102 a, 102 b, which may be transparent, may contact the bodyto provide a generated electrical current to the body. The electricalcurrent passes more easily through lean muscle than fat, and cell waterpercentage levels affect the resistance and the reactance of theimpedance measured. The prior art discloses a body compositiondetermined from a calculation based upon the speed at which the signalpasses through the body. The values for resistance and reactance, thesubject's height and weight all serve as inputs to well-known equationsin algorithmic form as embodied in a computer programs to yield bodycomposition measurements such as body mass index (BMI), a measure ofbody fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men andwomen. Such programs are known in the published art.

Portable display unit 104 is removable from scale 101, and may behoused, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in a recess defined in scale 101.Portable display unit 104 includes a display 104 a, which displaysinformation received from scale 100, such as body fat, body waterpercentage and weight, and temperature information received fromtemperature sensing unit 105 (of FIG. 2). Portable display unit 104 maybe held in the hand, mounted on a wall or other convenient location forviewing, or positioned in the housing of scale 101. In one embodiment,scale 101 includes a wireless transmitter, such as a wirelessradiofrequency transmitter, and portable display unit 104 includes awireless radiofrequency receiver. Temperature sensing unit 105 (of FIG.2) may also include a wireless radiofrequency transmitter. Temperaturesensing unit 105 (of FIG. 2) may be mounted in an area where it isdesirable to obtain a temperature reading, such as a location outdoors.Portable display unit 104 includes a means to receive, transmit andstore data pertaining to keyed input, body fat, body water, weight andoutside temperature. Portable display unit 104 also includes key inputswitches 108 for optionally inputting various parameters such as anindividual's name, time, target weight, and other personal data asdescribed below.

As illustrated schematically in FIG. 2, scale 101 includes processor 112having memory 118. Processor 112 is coupled to sensors, including loadsensors 115, 116, 117 and 118. Such load sensors may be positioned so asto support platform 102 shown in FIG. 1. Processor 112 is also coupledto circuit 121, which is coupled to electrodes 102 a, 102 b shown inFIG. 1. An output of circuit 121 may be interpreted by suitableprogramming to provide an output proportional to the body fat percentageor the body water percentage of a person having body parts inappropriate contact with electrodes 102 a, 102 b.

Processor 112 is also coupled to wireless transmitter 120.

Referring to FIG. 3, portable display unit 104 will now be discussed.Portable display unit 104 includes a processor 410, memory 430, powersupply 440, display 119, user inputs 108, and wireless receiver 420.Processor 410 may be programmed to cause display 119 to display datareceived via wireless receiver 420.

Each of scale 101, temperature sensing unit 105, and blood pressure unit106 may include a processor, memory, and wireless transmitter. Readingsobtained from any of these units may be wirelessly transmitted toreceiver 420 of FIG. 3. Temperature sensing unit 105 may provide areading of temperature in an environment, such as an outdoorenvironment. Scale 101 may also contain a receiver 120 a, optionally.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a blood pressure measurementunit 500. Blood pressure measurement unit 500 detects blood pressuremeasurements and pulse rate information, and provides an output signal,which may be wirelessly transmitted and received and displayed byportable display unit 104 (of FIG. 1). Blood pressure measurement unit500 is affixed to armband 520. Armband 520 may be secured to anindividual's arm, such as at the wrist or upper arm, as illustratedgenerally in FIG. 4. Blood pressure measurement unit 500 may include alocal display unit 512 to display the detected blood pressure readingsand pulse rate. Referring to FIG. 5, start/stop circuit 532 is connectedto a user input, such as a button or touchpad, 523. Start/stop circuit532 is operably connected to switch 524, which, when closed, such as bypressing a button, causes pump 530 to be connected to a power supply.Pump 530 inflates armband bladder 540. Upon inflation, a suitablepressure is applied by the bladder to the individual's arm. Pressuresensors provide a signal indicating the detected pressure to theprocessor. The processor provides data to the local display 512, so thatthe detected pressure and pulse rate are displayed. The pulse rate maybe calculated based on variation in pressure readings, as is well knownin the field. The processor also provides the data to a wirelesstransmitter. The data may be received by receiver 420 of FIG. 3, andthen sent by processor 410 of the base unit 104 to display 119 of thebase unit.

Switch 24 in association with the start/stop circuit causes pump 530 topump air via line 534 through check valve 536 and through line 538 toinflate bladder 540. Sensor 537 is in contact with a surface of bladder540 and senses pressure P. A reading from sensor 537 may be provided toa processor, as explained above, which may provide a signal to disablepump 530. Such signal may, by way of example, turn off start/stopcircuit 532 stopping the pump 530 or causing electronic solenoid 531 todisable check valve 536 when the pressure P reaches a designed pressure,such as approximately 195 mm HG. Under the pressure P of inflated armband bladder 540, an arm is constricted and blood flow through arm inthe area where apparatus 500 is mounted is reduced or cut off. Havingattained the proper level of applied arm pressure P, valve 542 undercontrol of valve controller 533 housed in apparatus 500 slowly allowspressure P in armband bladder 540 to dissipate or exhaust air throughport 549. As the blood is allowed to resume flow, sensor 50 detects thehigher systolic blood pressure and the lower diastolic blood pressure.The two sensed blood pressure readings serve as input to a processor,which then provides the data to display 512, so as to display the twopressures as systolic blood pressure 518 and diastolic blood pressure516, as seen in FIG. 4.

In addition to sensing systolic blood pressure and diastolic bloodpressure, apparatus 500 also detects the pulse rate 514. A pressuresensor, which may be in a position to be in contact with the person'sarm, provides a continuous or periodic pressure signal to a processor,which analyzes and determines a pulse rate 514 based on the varyingpressure signal received. The processor outputs the pulse rate 514 todisplay 512, and may also cause the pulse rate 514 to be wirelesstransmitted for reception at base unit 104. An additional sensor, whichmay read, for example, skin temperature, may also be provided. Theoptionally sensed input serves as input to processor 70, which processescode that formats and outputs the optionally sensed data to display 12.

Referring again to FIG. 3, processor 112 is also coupled to user inputs108. One such input to the processor 112 is to receive via key 108 datain response to prompts generated on the display by processor 112executing one or more programs stored in memory. Processor 112 mayprompt the user for, and receive, via inputs at key 108, such parametersas time, user identities, target weight, user age, and other personaldata of the user.

As will be apparent from the foregoing a designer of a systemincorporating the scale, temperature unit, blood pressure unit, and theportable display 104, needs to decide where to include certain functionsas performed by the combination of the two devices. For example, whenthe portable unit 104 is installed in the scale 101, a single processormay serve the roles of both processor 112 and processor 410. If theportable display unit 104 has been detached from the scale 101, thescale 101 must include a means for transmitting the sensor data to thedisplay unit 104. Therefore, where to accomplish the processing of thesensor data, input data related to fitness statistics and temperature isa design choice.

Returning to the scale 101 that includes a processor 112, the processoris generally a microprocessor that includes a memory 118 for storing oneor more measurements including inputs from load cells and body fatsensors, and may also store outside temperature and key data from unit104 and statistical information such as time, date and an identifier forrelated to the user's name. The processor 112 permits settings relatedto receiving input sensor data, storing the data, retrieving the dataand other information such as the statistics recorded in memory 118 andcommunicating with display unit 104 and alternatively transceiver 110.The reference to transceiver refers to any device capable oftransmitting and/or receiving. Whether the receiver and transmitters areintegrated or not is a design choice and does not alter the intentssupporting the invention herein.

In some embodiments, outside temperature is sensed by a thermometerwhich has an associated transmitter that periodically communicates theoutside temperature the receiver of base unit 104, which is thenreceived by the processor, which then displays, and may store, thetemperature. Upon receiving the information related to one or more ofthe body fat measure, body water measure and weight measure asdetermined from the scale 101, the processor 410 may cause this data tobe stored, such as in memory 430. Memory 410 may include storedmeasurements including statistical information such as time, date,outside temperature, an identifier related to the user's name, age,height and the associated weight, body fat and body water percentagereceived. The key input 108 interfaces with the processor 410 to permitsettings related to storing weights, retrieving information such as thestatistics recorded in memory 180 and displaying the statistics.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a wired connection maybe provided between scale 101 and base unit 104, when base unit 104 islocated in scale 101, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, wirelesscommunication may be used at all times. The communication protocolutilized in embodiments of the invention may be way of non-limitingexample be described as follows: (1) upon sensing that an individual hasmounted the scale, processor 112 initiates a request to the unit 104 todetermine if the unit is attached to the scale 101. If the unit 104 hasnot been detached then all further communication regarding the body fatmeasure, body water measure and weight measure as determined from thescale 101 inputs is sent to unit 104 by a wired connection. (2) Ifprocessor 112 determines that unit 104 has been detached then processor112 employs wireless communication. In a first communication processor112 initiates a request to the user via transceiver that the useridentify itself via unit 104. Thereafter a second communication fromtransceiver 110 sends information related to one or more of the body fatmeasure, body water measure and weight measure as determined from thescale 101 inputs through the transmission channel initiated bytransceiver 110 and the particular unit 104 that responded to theprocessor 112 inquiry. The communication protocol utilized bytransceiver 110 and the transceiver 165 combinations may be way of byway of non-limiting example, a Wi-Fi-enabled computer and/or handsetthat uses radio technologies based on as for example the IEEE 802.11standard to send and receive data anywhere within the range of a basestation transceiver or a Bluetooth® wireless technology transceiver.Information from the scale 101 is communicated to the portable device104 that may, for example, take the form of a hand held display such asremovable display unit 104 or may be configured to communicate with apersonal digital assistant (PDA), such as a handheld mobile phone,BlackBerry® wireless platform or similar device. The applicationsoftware installed in the device 104, may by way of non-limiting exampleemploy Physical Markup Language (PML). PML, a markup language based onXML for communicating a description of physical environments and theobjects within them, their relationships to the user of the productassociated with as in this instance a transmitter of weight information,and the space or location where the scale 101 may be located.

The invention herein is not limited to a single receiver in the baseunit, but may include communications with one or more receiversdepending on the particular application. For non-limiting purposes ofexplanation, in one embodiment the transmitter 150 communicates with thetransceiver 165 within the associated display unit 104 up to sixty (30′)feet from the point of measurement.

In an alternate embodiment the invention the portable unit 104 mayreceive communication from one or more scales 101 distributed atdifferent locations. The convenience factor is that an individual maycarry the portable unit 104 from place to place and have the benefit ofdetermining fitness if a scale 101 were available. The user may by wayof non-limiting example, install the portable unit 104 into the scale101 and proceed to make the measurements as previously indicated.Alternatively, the user may choose to keep the portable unit 104 removedfrom the scale 101, and make the measurements as previously indicated,in which case the scale 101 would transmit the measurements to theportable unit 104. In this application the scale system 100 comprisesone or more scales 101, each having load cells and units for determiningbody fat, body water percentage, and/or temperature. Each may have atransmitter for communicating the output signals to one or moreassociated portable display units 104; each said portable display unit104 including a means to receive and a processor to calculate a measureof fitness based upon the output signals and inputs pertaining to vitalstatistics of each user; and displaying the output signals and inputs.

Those skilled in the art of computer programming will appreciate thatthe invention may be implemented in a system of computer units orprocessors communicatively coupled to one another over a network, suchas a wide area network. “Processor”, as used herein, refers generally toa computing device such as a microprocessor having a CPU. A CPUgenerally includes an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performsarithmetic and logical operations, and a control unit, which extractsinstructions (e.g., code) from memory and decodes and executes them,calling on the ALU when necessary. “Memory”, as used herein, refers toone or more devices capable of storing data, such as in the form ofchips, tapes, disks or drives. Memory may take the form of one or morerandom-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmableread-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) chips,by way of further non-limiting example only. Memory may be internal orexternal to an integrated unit including a processor. Memory may beinternal or external to an integrated unit including a personalcomputer. Memory unit preferably stores a computer program, e.g.,sequence of instructions being operable by the processor.

The invention herein also includes a method for weighing comprising thesteps of: providing a scale for individuals to obtain measurements forone or more of an individual's body fat, body water and weight;generating one or more output signals proportional to the one or more ofbody fat measurement, body water measurement and weight measurement; andtransmitting the one or more outputs and receiving the outputs anddisplaying the measurements.

The invention herein also includes a method of inputting, datapertaining to one of date, time, an individual's name, and fitnessstatistics, sensing parameters of one or more of a body fat, body waterand weight; recording the sensed parameters and said data; andtransmitting the sensed parameters and said data; receiving said sensedparameters and said data and a signal proportional to a temperature anddisplaying one or more of said sensed parameters, data and temperatureon the portable display unit.

While the present invention has been described with reference to theillustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to beconstrued in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrativeembodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will beapparent to those skilled in the art on reference to this description.It is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements thatperform substantially the same function in substantially the same way toachieve the same results are within the scope of the invention.Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another arealso fully intended and contemplated.

1. A system for detecting and displaying one or more of body weight,body fat percentage, blood pressure, pulse and environmental temperaturecomprising: a weighing scale comprising: a body fat sensor forgenerating an output proportional to body fat of an individual; a bodywater sensor for generating an output proportional to body water of theindividual; a weight sensor for generating an output proportional toweight of the individual; a first wireless transmitter adapted totransmit data indicative of said outputs of said body fat sensor, bodywater sensor and weight sensor; a processor coupled to said body, bodywater, and weight sensors; a remote temperature unit for detecting anoutdoor temperature and comprising a second wireless transmitter fortransmitting data indicative of the outdoor temperature; and a bloodpressure unit comprising a third wireless transmitter; and a portabledisplay unit adapted to be attachable and detachable from said weighingscale and adapted to be housed in a recess defined in said weighingscale, said portable display unit comprising a wireless receiver adaptedto be in wireless communication with said first, second, and thirdwireless transmitters, said display unit adapted to display said datatransmitted by said first, second, and third transmitters and receivedby said wireless receiver.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said bloodpressure unit further comprises a skin temperature sensor for generatingan output proportional to skin temperature of the individual.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a memory coupled to saidprocessor, wherein said processor contains computer code, said codecauses the outputs of said body fat, body water, weight sensors, andblood pressure unit to be recorded and stored in said memory and to bedisplayed by said portable display unit, and wherein, responsive to auser input, said code causes the outputs of said body fat, body water,weight sensors, and blood pressure unit to be retrieved from said memoryand to be displayed by said portable display unit.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said remote temperature unit further comprises athermometer located outdoors for measuring the outdoor temperature, andwherein said second wireless transmitter is adapted to communicate withsaid portable display unit using radiofrequency wireless signals.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein said portable display unit is adapted to bein wireless communication with said first, second, and thirdtransmitters using radiofrequency wireless signals.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said portable display unit is adapted to display time.